USVI-On-Line

We have never stayed at Caneel and won't this year either but we have been to Honeymoon Beach many times but never sat on the Caneel main beach. This year we are thinking of parking in the Caneel lot and sitting on the main beach in our own chairs and having lunch at one of the restaurants. I know that the parking fee will be subtracted from the bill. Can we bring our own beach chairs to the main beach ? I know that we cannot use the Caneel chairs. Is there shade on the main beach that hasn't been taken by the Caneel chairs? Any recommendations on which restaurant for lunch- we will be in our bathing suits. Thanks.

You certainly can bring your own beach chairs to the Caneel Beach. As to shade. There is a little bit of shade but I'd say you could plan on what shade there is being occupied by guests.

Hi patrickmcc, we went to caneel's main beach during our trip in January and we brought our beach chairs, but they don't allow coolers, and we sat in the shade of some trees to the left by the dock as you enter the beach area from the walking path. There was enough shade for 4 of us and then another family of four joined us. The caneel beach chairs were not located in this area. The snorkeling was excellent off the main beach way over on the right side. We had lunch at the patio bar, pizza and beer, and it was great! Plus, as you mentioned they stamped our parking ticket. We really enjoyed spending an afternoon at caneel...

Have fun!

Thank you Diana and Caw. It looks like my wife and I will do this after the adult kids and grandson go home. We started going to St John in 1983
and I guess it is about time we tried one of the Caneel restaurants.

This might be more helpful:

Here are a few pics I just found of the main beach (from a few months ago). Definitely not the best pics, but hopefully they can give you a better idea of the shade.



IMG_0202 by needmesomesun, on Flickr

IMG_0201 by needmesomesun, on Flickr

As you can see, there aren't a ton of shade producing trees right now, and it also depends on the time of day, etc. There usually is some shade to be found though!.

there is more shade and privacy at scott beach the beach adjacent to caneel beach on caneel grounds the opposit way from honeymoon. there is also a small portable bar where you can order lunch from caneel and the snorkeling is better. heve a great time

Unless they have had a policy change I didn't think you could use Scott Beach unless you were a guest. If that has changed we will be there. Let me know. Thanks.

Scott Beach is not available to the public unless approached via water.

There is very limited shade on Caneel's public beach. However, it is a nice
place to spend the latest afternoon/sunset time of day.

It is fine to bring your own chairs. There is just the casual BeachTerrace restaurant for lunch. They welcome day guests, no problem. The new sushi menu is fabulous. Enjoy!

Lots of shady spots last week at the main beach. I think it depends on the time of day, it necessarily the amount of people. Shade to the right all along the sea grape in front of the Terrace Buffet Restaurant.